Brian Miller holds photos of what this farmhouse and yard looked like 30 years ago.

Preserving the past through photos

Retired administrator keeps memories alive

Brian Miller likes old farm sites. He’s not sure what possessed him to take hundreds of photos of abandoned and derelict farm sites over his 28-year career as a municipal administrator. What he does know for sure is that he’s thankful he has taken photos over the years because many buildings, from two-storey brick houses […] Read more

Some of the Herschel Quilting and Recycling Group. Back row (l to r): Sue Neufeld, Sharon Wiens, Virginia Wilson. Middle row (l to r): Lynn Hollick, Emily Brown, Sylvia Cutler, Cheralyn Wiens, Marlene Wiens, Dorothy Seibold. Front row (l to r): Margery Martin, Kay Heatherington.

Rural Prairie women making a difference

Group strives to Reduce, Recycle and Reuse – one quilt at a time

Some seniors may remember saving wool, old woollen clothes and blankets until they had a 100-lb. gunny sack full and sent it to a company in Winnipeg, Man. In exchange they received new woollen blankets. Was it frugal or out of necessity to mend, patch or reuse articles or was it the birth of the […] Read more


Are you a ‘farmwife’ or ‘farminist’ or both?

Are you a ‘farmwife’ or ‘farminist’ or both?

How do you see yourself? What does being a farm woman mean to you?

Country Guide senior editor Maggie Van Camp is a widow, mom, journalist and chicken farmer who coined a new term at CAFA’s (Canadian Association of Farm Advisors) Update in Guelph in May. Maggie proposed that the culture of agriculture needs a new mindset to speak to the many women farm operators in our country, women […] Read more

Ted inspects developing strawberries growing in partial shade under floating row cover. Read below about the tarnished plant bug and how to avoid cat-faced strawberries.

More information on potatoes

Singing Gardener: Plus, some tips on strawberries

We can all identify with how time flies. The longest day or summer solstice for this year is now long gone. Little by little, daylight is sneaking away and shall continue to do so until just before next Christmas when we have our shortest day. Speaking of “sneaking,” let me put a question to you. […] Read more


Asparagus Quiche with Parmesan Crust

Wild asparagus is hard to find

Prairie Palate: It prefers an undisturbed area, so the more land that is cultivated, the less it can find suitable habitat

Not long ago, I was asked if I had ever picked wild asparagus. The answer was “No,” but it got me thinking. I’ve picked wild mushrooms, wild strawberries and wild mint but I have never been so lucky as to come across a patch of wild asparagus while walking in the great outdoors. Come to […] Read more

Close up of a nurse touching hand of a patient

Suddenly our life had changed

Would you be prepared if serious illness affected a family member?

People talk about life-changing moments. Some are good, like the birth of a baby; others are hard, such as the death of a family member. Over the years our family has seen a few but never as intensely as May 4, 2016 when my husband started getting ill. It was nothing remarkable. Our whole house, […] Read more


Hurrah for the red and white! Patriotism flows through the Singing Gardener’s veins and this year for Canada Day, Ted focuses on potted red and white petunias that reflect the colours of our national flag. Each time you see it proudly raised on high, think of red for freedom, white for beauty, maple leaf and endless sky.

Singing Gardener: Happy Birthday Canada

Plus, home remedies and where to get marrow seeds

Hi again readers. I, Ted, am thinking ahead one full year from now. That’s when we’ll be rolling out the red carpet, honouring our flag and celebrating, travelling and connecting with fellow Canadians in hundreds of celebratory ways from sea to sea to sea. This land of the great white north shall celebrate its 150th […] Read more

Woes of the farm workaholic

Woes of the farm workaholic

Working too much is harming farmers and their families

Sometimes the overwhelming demands of farming cause the entire body to slump at the kitchen table. Worn hands stroking greying hair and the eyes are reddened and glassy. Farming is one of those businesses where you live at your workplace. There is no line between work and home. It seems that work is always just […] Read more


How to help your farming father be really happy

How to help your farming father be really happy

What do fathers who are enjoying relationships with their successors say?

When I first typed out the title it was, “How to make your farming father really happy,” but that didn’t sit well because I believe that each of us as emotionally mature adults gets to wake up every morning and decide what our mood and responses will be. We get to choose to be happy […] Read more

Emma Stamm loves being hugged.

Stop putting off that care home visit

Many feel uncomfortable visiting care homes but here’s some tips to keep in mind

Anna* was a farm woman in her late 70s when a major stroke put her in a wheelchair and robbed her of her vocal and written language. Before the stroke Anna was active in her church and community and enjoyed spending time with friends. Her friends don’t come by so often anymore. Anna misses them. […] Read more